Fujairah Collage

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

At a recent press conference, officials from the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Federation announced that an international training seminar would be held in Fujairah for Taekwondo referee accreditation.

The press conference was held at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel which will be the venue for the international training event.

Mohamed Fekry, General Manager of the Concorde Fujairah Hotel, said that his hotel exists to support the community of Fujairah, so the hosting of this local and international event is yet another important step in the fulfillment of this vision and passion.

Training Seminar

The seminar to train referees at the top standard will be held from 10-14 February 2012 and 150 participants are expected to gather from many different countries of the world.

The sessions will run from 9am-12.30pm and 2pm to 6.30pm.

Local taekwondo players will be used for the trainee referees to demonstrate their aptitude.

Literature Conference

Following this seminar a literature course will be held at the same venue with many of the same attendees. Approximately 165 people are expected to undertake the literature course, to be held 15-17 February 2012. This course will involve knowing with excellence the international Taekwondo Rule Books.

Driving Force

Eid Mesmari, manager and instructor of taekwondo in Fujairah, is the driving force behind this event. Thanks to his passion and the generous patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, the sport is steadily increasing in popularity and skill and these training events signal another milestone for the eastern emirate.

Take a Look

Some photos of those addressing the press conference are posted in this photo album.

The emirate of Fujairah is growing by 10,000 people every year and in this last year it has a new express road, a new Carrefour, four new shopping malls under construction, the much-talked about oil pipeline and plenty more.

Monday, January 30, 2012

There’s a provocative article in ‘The Daily Beast’ and 'Newsweek' today (30 January 2012) about the Emirati Chef, Ali Ebdowa, who is bringing Bedouin cooking into his stylish restaurant in Abu Dhabi.

Annia Ciezadlo writes:

“There is one cuisine that is hard to find in the Emirates, that is conspicuously absent from its hotels and restaurants and increasingly from its home kitchens and that is Emirati.”

As head chef at Meziai (at the Emirates Palace), ‘one of the only upscale restaurants that serve Emirati food’, Ebdowa is trying to bring back desert cooking to contemporary UAE. The article explains how he is seeking to do this.

+ Where are the Emirati restaurants in Fujairah, the emirate that is aiming to boost local heritage as one of its tourism attractions?

+ Where are the Emirati chefs in Fujairah and the UAE?

+ Why has the labour policy of Emiratization had little effect on those who cook and serve tables in the restaurants of the UAE?

Every year, for the last 22 years, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has published a World Report summarizing the condition of human rights in more than 90 countries and territories throughout the world.

‘Arab Spring’

HRW has just released their 2012 report and within it there is an article on the ‘Arab Spring’ that has created opportunities both for change and oppression.

UAE and Human Rights

The UAE is ranked and featured in the HRW Report 2012. Read the changes listed and the rationale given.

A news conference was held in Dubai on 25 January 2012 at which the report was launched and a statement made about the state of human rights and the UAE in this last year. Here is a brief report on the UAE.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

After ten days of shows, seminars, lectures and forums about the art of monodrama, the 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival, which had attracted participants from more than 36 countries, concluded with a closing ceremony, awards and a concert.

The closing ceremony was held in the Hajar Ballroom at Le Méridien Resort at Al Aqah.

Thanks to Ruler

HE Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, Festival Chairman, thanked His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, for his generous patronage of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival.

Thanks to Ruling Family

Al Dhanhani also paid tribute to His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, for his unlimited support since the inception of the Festival, and His Highness, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority (FCMA), for his ongoing efforts and wise counsel that made the 5th Fujairah Festival such a success.

Thanks to Organizers

Al Dhanhani thanked his friend and colleague, Engineer Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, the Director of the Festival, Ibrahim Allan, Executive Manager of the FCMA, chairpersons and members of committees and all festival guests.

Award Ceremony

Al Dhanhani and Al Afkham distributed certificates and awards to the artists, media personalities and all participants in the Fujairah Festival.

Entertainment and Eating

A concert with singers, Hatem Al Iraqi and Mona Amarsha, provided the entertainment, which was then followed by a formal dinner.

Thanks

Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for the above content and Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

Related

Ruler of Fujairah Thanked by Theatre Artists for Supporting the Arts, FIF, 29 January 2012.

The Executive Board of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) presented a letter of thanks to His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, in appreciation of his support for the work of the ITI.

The letter was sent on behalf of theatre artists from all over the world. The board affirmed to His Highness that they will continue to work hard to achieve his vision of sharing ideas internationally and fostering creativity.

The letter was framed during the meeting of the ITI’s Executive Board at Le Méridien Al Aqah Resort on 21 January 2012.

The chairman of the meeting, Mr. Ramendu Majumdar, President of ITI Worldwide, paid tribute to His Highness, the Ruler of Fujairah, for his generous patronage of the international events and activities of ITI and his ongoing support for theatre.

He expressed appreciation to Sheikh Hamad for opening the second centre for ITI, which is based in Fujairah, and for supporting the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival.

Thanks

Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for the above content and Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

The 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival (FIMF) this week celebrated the career of the young Egyptian actor, Amro Saad.

On 24 January 2012 Saad gave a lecture in which he outlined his experience with the Egyptian cinema and the development of his acting career.

The lecture was chaired by Hussam Abdul Hadi and was held in the Al Majlis Hall that is associated with the Dibba Al Fujairah Theatre. The lecture and discussion was well attended by a large number of Arab and international artists as well as guests to the FIMF.

Overnight Movie Star

Saad said that his acting career commenced by coincidence. He wanted to be a journalist but his father wanted his son to enroll in a College specializing in interior design, so that he’d secure a good job with a healthy salary. Saad attended the Applied Arts College in Cairo and worked as an interior designer for five years. He was discovered by Yousif Shaheen and Khalid Yousif and invited to act as the main character in the movie Heen Myassara that screened in 2009. Overnight Saad became a star.

His second movie, Dukkan Shahata, was a huge success and the public found a new idol in Saad.

Amro Saad said he was initially nominated for the leading role in the movie Kheyana Mashroo’a (Legal Betrayal), instead of Hani Salama, but he rejected the offer to accept the leading role in Heen Myassara, on which he worked for five years.

School of Giants

Saad told the audience that he not only graduated from the Yousif Shaheen school of art but from the school of all the giants of Egyptian cinema such as Mahmoud Al Melaigi, Ahmad Zaki, Nour Al Sherif and Suad Husni, from whom he learned much.

Saad is currently working on a new movie, Aswar Al Aqamar (Walls of the Moon), which starts shooting next week.

Television and Theatre

Saad’s lecture was followed by a vigorous discussion between the audience and the actor.

Artist, Nour Al Sherif, suggested that Saad should “experience acting in live theatre at least once every four years because it’s a necessary experience for every actor who wants to polish their skills.”

Tribute Award

After the lecture and discussion, His Excellency, Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, Chairman of the FIMF, paid tribute to Amro Saad and presented him with an award.

Thanks

Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for the above content and Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

Related

Introducing Arab Theatre to the World Emphasized at Fujairah Monodrama Festival, FIF, 28 January 2012.

Fujairah to be Headquarters for New International Library of Monodrama, FIF, 27 January 2012.

Speakers at the International Theatre Forum (26 January 2012), as part of the 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival (FIMF), stressed the role of the festival in drawing attention to monodrama theatre.

The speakers explained that the FIMF introduced Arab culture and art to the international theatre and artists through the exchange of visits and the staging of events.

The theme of the forum was the importance of monodrama theatre around the world.

Arab Theatre to the World

Tobias Biancone (Director-General of ITI) said that direct communication between Arab artists and the rest of the world through monodrama is very important. “Arab theatre has to be introduced to the world,” he said. “I’ve noticed great progress in the Arabic monodrama shows I’ve attended at several festivals and especially this festival.” Biancone added that it’s not fair to present good theatre and not share it with the rest of the world. He asked all Arab theatre artists to take their shows to different parts of the world, as it is the best way to promote their ideas and their art.

Forging Relationship With Audience

Mar said she was surprised with the response after her first show at the 1st FIMF. She said, “I can honestly say now, in this edition of the festival, that things became very different after a relationship has been established between the theatre and the audience.” She said that a festival opens up the artists to the world and this is very important for Arab culture, thus heightening the significance of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival.

Arab Theatre Showcased at Polish Festival

Weislaw Geras, director of the Polish Monodrama Festival, said that his was the oldest festival, starting 46 years ago. He paid tribute to Mohamed Saif Al Afkham (Director of the Fujairah Monodrama) for attending the Polish festival and opening delegates to the richness of Arab theatre. On his visit Al Afkham presented a lecture on Arab theatre to the Polish festival that was followed with an ‘Arabic Day’ that included the performance of two Arabic shows. This Arab theme was a first for Poland.

Polish Publications

Geras announced that the Polish festival will publish ten books this year, seven of which are about Polish actors and three about actors from other countries. He affirmed that these publications stimulate communication and provide information for all theatre enthusiasts in the world. A new book with 68 articles recently published in Poland focuses solely on monodrama theatre.

Artists Exposed to Different Cultures

Jolanta Juszkiewicz talked about her artistic career in Poland and Australia saying that her time in Australia was an important factor in increasing her knowledge of different cultures. With over 200 cultures, Australia is a melting pot for all cultures, which is important for promoting understanding and peace in the world.

Juszkiewicz, who was attending the FIMF for the first time said that she enjoyed the Fujairah festival atmosphere. “I’ve benefited a lot from this experience of Arab culture, she said. “I’m currently planning to visit future shows that stem from the Arab culture, which I respect and admire.”

Thanks

Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for the above content and Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

Related

Fujairah to be Headquarters for New International Library of Monodrama, FIF, 27 January 2012.

Image: Participants at the International Theatre Forum that was part of the 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival: from left to right—Weislaw Geras, Birute Mar, Tobias Biancone, Mohamed Saif Al Afkham and Jolanta Juszkiewicz.

Friday, January 27, 2012

At a meeting of the International Monodrama Forum (ITF), on the sidelines of the 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival, members decided to found a documentation library, with the headquarters in Fujairah, specializing in the art of Monodrama that is written in different parts of the world.

The recommendation was proposed by Fujairah’s Mohamed Saif Al Afkham.

The meeting was chaired by Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, President of IMF and it was attended by Vice President, Nina Mazur (Ukraine), Yolanta Sutowich—Director of the THESPIS International Festival in Germany, other members of the IMF and directors of Monodrama Festivals in many different countries.

Monodrama Award

The meeting also agreed on the mechanism of the Valery Khazanov’s Fujairah International Monodrama Award, which will be awarded to the best Monodrama show once every two years.

The value of the award is currently 5,000 Euros.

The Award Secretariat was formed with the following members: Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, Nina Mazur, Yolanta Sutowich, Tobias Biancone—Director General of ITI, Alfira Arslanova—Director of the Russian Monodrama Festival, in addition to Olga Pozeli, secretary of IMF.

The committee will choose the best international monodrama shows and the award will be given for the first time to the winner during the next Fujairah International Monodrama Festival in 2014.

Thanks

Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for some of the above content and Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

Two books by, Fujairah writer and poet, Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, were launched at the 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival on 25 January 2012.

The books, Ya Lail Ma Atwalak and Al Yazra, were launched at the majlis associated with the Dibba Al Fujairah Theatre. The two volumes were recently published by the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority.

The book launch and signing were chaired by poet and former Jordanian Minister of Culture, Jerais Samawi, who explained the importance of Al Dhanhani’s books and the richness of their symbols and allusions.

Samawi said that the texts go into the depths of the human mind and extract the thoughts and concerns. The books also take their inspiration from the local Emirati environment and introduce that unique landscape to Arab readers. The chairman also spoke highly of the flow of words and the different human emotions that the texts evoke.

Tribute from Friend and Colleague

Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, Director of the Fujairah Municipality and Director of the Monodrama Festival, was introduced as one of Al Dhanhani’s best and lifelong friends and a companion in creative and cultural work. In his personal tribute, Al Afkham stated that the Al Dhanhani is enthusiastic, one who believes in himself and a creator that shared his ideas with him.

“Al Dhanhani’s theatrical texts have all begun as mere ideas,” Al Afkham said. “These ideas soon turn to realities in the pages of his plays, poems or television scripts.”

Iraqi artist and director, Aziz Khayoun, talked about his experience in working with Al Dhanhani when they staged Al Haffar, a play that was a huge success.

A Moving Dedication

Al Dhanhani thanked people for attending the book signifying and those who contributed to turning his dreams into realities. He then read a text from his first poetry book, Sudfa (published in 2011) and then signed copies of the books for the guests of the festival. The author dedicated these books to his late father who died in 2011.

About Al Dhanhani

Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani was born in Dibba, Al Fujairah in 1969. He is the Director of His Highness, the Ruler of Fujairah’s Court. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority and Chairman of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival.

Al Dhanhani won the best theatrical text award for his play Ya Lail Ma Atwalak and has been honored at a number of Arab and international festivals.

Most recently the spectacular dramatic and dance performance, The World Passes Through Here, was written by Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani and thrilled all those who attended the opening ceremony of the 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival at the Fujairah Fort.

Thanks

The book launch was conducted in Arabic. Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for some of the above content and Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

His Highness, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, attended some of the activities of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival on Thursday 26 January 2012.

Sheikh Rashid visited the Heritage Village in Dibba-Fujairah and viewed some of the handicrafts and items of Emirati heritage permanently displayed at the village.

His Highness also met with many of the festival’s guests who had come from different parts of the world to enjoy the Fujairah festival.

In the evening Sheikh Rashid attended the play, Desdemona, a joint Polish-Australian production, adapted from Shakespeare’s Othello. The play was performed by Jolanta Juszkiewicz and directed by Anatoly Frusin and Jolanta Juszkiewicz. Jolanta was brilliant in her performance of the devoted wife who faces the evil side of human nature and is doomed to die because of her husband’s extreme jealousy for a sin she did not commit.

Final Day

Saturday, 28 January 2012, is the last day of the 5th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival. The closing ceremony will take place at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort at 8pm.

The festival concludes after eight full days of international dramas (Arabic and English), morning forums, seminars, lectures, meetings and after-show discussions.

Related

‘Arab Spring’ Featured in Syrian Play at Fujairah Monodrama Festival, FIF, 25 January 2012.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The inaugural meeting of the Emirates Natural History Group—Fujairah will be held in the library of the HCT—Fujairah Men’s College on 1 February at 7pm.

Acting President, David Edwards, said that the first meeting will provide an explanation as to how the ENHG and ENHG-Fujairah has developed in the UAE with some information and discussion about future meeting topics and field trip visits in the emirate.

Since noises were made in 2011 about establishing an Emirates Natural History Group in Fujairah there have been these developments:

+ A new patron—His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, is very enthusiastic about this new group

+ A new acting committee

+ A new logo taken from an Arabian leopard on ancient Fujairah rock art (pictured)

+ A new resourceful collegiality with the various chapters of the ENHG in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

Please Contribute

While we are thrilled about these developments there are still many things to establish, lots of opportunities for people to contribute and ideas to be welcomed from members in Fujairah.

Discover Fujairah

Fancy doing some exploring in a Fujairah wadi?

Like to learn about the archeological digs that are taking place in our emirate?

Can you read and interpret some Fujairah petroglyphs (rock art)?

What about a visit to the Bithna fort and farms with those who have studied the area?

Come to the meeting at 7pm on 1 February brimming with ideas of what you’d like to see, visit and experience.

The uprising in Syria and other Arab countries in recent months was featured on stage this week at the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival.

Entitled, ‘Spring Sonata’, the one man Syrian show was performed by Mazen Al Natour on Monday 23 January 2012 at the Dibba Society Theatre in Fujairah. It was written by Jamal Adam and directed by Maher Al Selaibi.

The character is a Syrian teacher of history who has received a higher education in France. He reviews some historical events from Syria as he seeks to renovate his house. The attempt to plaster and paint over the cracks becomes something of a metaphor for the play.

The teacher recalls the life and times of his grandparents, his French wife and daughter ‘Sonata’ and his friends. His performance of these different characters adds richness and humour to the monodrama.

The actor recounts the oppression and violence shown toward him and his friends because of their commitment to maintaining their dignity and exercising their human rights.

A video screen is used to illustrate his memories and portray his changing moods.

The Syrian drama connected strongly with the Fujairah international audience and it was obvious from the laughter, the silence and the applause that something powerful was happening in the theatre.

Discussion

The play and subsequent discussion raised issues about the extent to which playwrights should state and how much they should infer.

Some expressed disappointment that the writer had narrated the history of Syria at the beginning of the play and the wish that these events were understated.

In the post-performance discussion, led by Egyptian artist, Sameh Al Seraiti, with participation from Maher Al Selaibi, Jamal Adam said why he had described the Syrian events but he was highly appreciative for the feedback. He said that the performance in Fujairah was the premiere of the play and he and the director promised to consider the feedback as they look to future performances of the show.

The Syrian trio is to be congratulated for creating and performing a drama about a major movement that is sweeping the Middle East and is as yet, unfinished and unresolved.

The Organizing Committee of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival is to be congratulated for scheduling the post-performance discussions for this conversation was as intense and dramatic as the play itself.

Take a Look

Some photos from the ‘Spring Sonata’ and the discussion that followed can be seen in this photo album.

At the press conference, when Apparel Group Chairman, Nilesh Ved (pictured) was asked about the connection between Club Apparel and snooker, he offered these two reasons for his company’s sponsorship:

Supporting Fujairah Community

“As a company, Club Apparel, we want to support the community and be part of the Fujairah community. Snooker is very much a popular, grass roots sport in the UAE community and this is why we are entering into this sponsorship partnership.”

Club Apparel Opening in Fujairah

“The other reason for sponsoring this tournament is because we are opening lots of new stores in Fujairah this year.”

Nilesh Ved went on to explain that many people recognize the brands that are part of the Club Apparel stable (see them all at this link) but they do not always recognize the Apparel brand.

Later, Sunny Sehgal, Assistant Marketing Manager for Club Apparel, later listed the Apparel stores that are coming this year to the Fujairah City Centre:

Aeropostale

Aldo

Aldo Accessories

Bench

Charles & Keith

Inglot

Naturalizer

Spring

Athletes Co

Athletes Co Kid

Garage

Ninewest

Cold Stone

Tim Hortons

Further

13 Countries to Compete in Billiards and Snooker at Fujairah Concorde Hotel, FIF, 10 January 2012.